Software Coordinator Review

I do not for a second regret my time at IBM, and will definitely look back fondly on my time with the Company. There is a lot of opportunity to get involved in community projects and shadow business professionals. However, much like any job, there are limitations to how fun a placement can be and you do have times during the year when work can become more stressful than fun.

Within IBM you are part of two communities from the outset, the Foundation community and the community surrounding your role. The Foundation community is extremely supportive and can always offer advise to make the most of your time within the company. Within your work community, much like anyone else, you have to earn your place within the team by showing you are capable. Your team will be supportive but it is up to you to excel.

From the Foundation Community there is a lot of support and guidance available, you only need to ask. Within your role, this becomes a lot more dependent on the team around you. Some of my fellow interns are far more supported by their team than others, depending on how busy their managers and extended team are, as well as how well their Managers are at managing people.

Like any large Company, IBM can fluctuate with busy times and quiet times, however there are plenty of activities and projects to get involved with when there are quiet times.

Your responsibilities increase as you progress through IBM, taking on more responsibilities as you become more capable within your role. However as you are only an intern here for one year, there are certain tasks that may need to be handled by a higher manager, or may just not make sense to give you responsibility, as you will not be here to see the project through to the finish.

I have learned a lot within my role specifically about Software and how it is sold and distributed. However, on a skills basis, I have improved massively in my communication and organizational skills, as well as confidence with interacting with other business professionals, from all age ranges and backgrounds.

Sadly, I was based in an office where IBM we looking to move away from in the future, meaning that we were downsizing. This resulted in staff being moved and some staff leaving the Company, which did not make for a great office atmosphere.

Very well organized though the year, my only issue I experienced was getting accesses to secure databases and other information that I needed for my role, which delayed me from learning my role initially.

The Foundation Team do make effort to improve your skills through workshops and other activities, however there was very little money invested in this compared to the Graduate training, which left some activities feeling like they had been organised for the sake of it, rather than achieving its purpose.

Upon finishing your placement with IBM there is the opportunity to reapply back to IBM, before the job openings are opened to the public. Although your likelihood of being successful in returning to IBM are higher due to your placement, there is still no guarantee and the odds are lower that you would expect.

There were around 70 interns at my location with IBM, and I have made many friends who I hope to stay in touch with for a long time. There are parties, nights out and other social activities going on every week throughout the year.

Portsmouth is an average priced area. The rent for housing is higher than most places of a similar standard but this is likely due to the university. Socialising (non-drinking) can be either cheap or expensive depending which area of town you go to.

Due to the university there is a large night life and cheap nights available to go out during the week. However as you are working during the week you will often end up going out on the more expensive Friday/Saturday nights.

Outside of work you can do as much as you want, there are never really any IBM-organised socials but there are plenty of people around to organise activities with.